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Environmental Engineering Degrees

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While engineering has brought a huge array of benefits to modern life, industries such as mining and manufacturing also have a negative impact on the environment. An increasingly in-demand specialization, environmental engineering aims to offset these impacts by finding solutions to minimize and manage pollution and waste, therefore improving and preserving the quality of air, water and soil.

If you choose to study an environmental engineering degree, you’ll be introduced to the key concepts and technologies needed to analyze and find solutions to problems of increasingly high prominence in the modern world, such as the effects of climate change.

Read on to find out more about common environmental engineering course types, specializations, environmental engineering jobs and key skills.

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Like other engineering degrees, environmental engineering courses are broad, overlapping with other subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, geography, technology, biology, economics and other branches of engineering (such as civil or mining). It might also suit those interested in public health, as the connection between environmental quality and health means opportunities to study issues such as waterborne diseases and pollutants, as well as the implementation of sanitation laws.

Your environmental engineering degree will typically start with a look at basic engineering principles and how they relate to the environment, studying topics such as fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, engineering mathematics, engineering thermodynamics, the fundamentals of process engineering, and introductory chemistry.

You will learn how to use this knowledge to analyze situations and decide on the best use of technology to solve environmental challenges, as well as ensuring that social development and resource usage are kept as sustainable as possible.

You’ll be taught through a variety of approaches, such as problem-based learning, tutorials and laboratory classes. Some universities offer students opportunities to spend a year working in industry or studying abroad, giving you the chance to gain new perspectives and apply your learning.

As your course progresses, you’ll typically be able to tailor your degree more closely to your interests with elective modules, choosing from topics such as water purification, recycling, pollution control, public health, waste disposal, sustainable design and manufacturing. Some universities have their own dedicated environmental engineering department, whereas in other schools the subject is a branch of the civil engineering department (or they are combined).

Entry requirements

To apply for an environmental engineering degree, you’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent (for example, A-levels in the UK), and will most likely need to provide evidence of background knowledge in subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry. If you want to study in English and it’s not your first language, you’ll need a language test result such as IELTS or TOEFL.

With your environmental engineering degree, you’ll be able to choose from a selection of specializations, allowing you to focus on a particular area of interest within the subject and hone your skills for relevant environmental engineering jobs.

Air quality

With air quality an increasing concern due to the impact of poor air quality on public health, this specialization will look at the ways in which both indoor and outdoor air quality can be improved and controlled to conform to standards and laws such as the UK’s Clean Air Act. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the sources, behaviors and effects of major pollutants, especially airborne particulate matter, and take part in interdisciplinary coursework.

Environmental systems engineering

This specialization prepares students for combining environmentally sustainable design strategies and practices into natural and built systems. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of challenges resulting from influences such as climate change and rising populations, and gain the relevant skills and knowledge for careers which work to solve these issues. You’ll typically be able to focus on coastal regions, freshwater systems, or urban energy and infrastructure.

Water resources engineering

A specialization in water resources engineering will introduce you to the key elements, structures and processes of water engineering. You’ll learn about water supplies, irrigation, waste disposal and the methods used to control water to avoid catastrophes such as floods.

Waste management

Often combined with the study of pollution control, a specialization in waste management will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the three main sub-areas of the topic – solid waste, waste water and soil conservation and water management. You will learn how to prevent toxic chemicals from affecting soil and water, how to prevent pollution and find sustainable solutions.

Having completed an environmental engineering degree, you’ll have a good range of skills and knowledge to offer employers, and strong career prospects. According to environmentalscience.org, the field of environmental engineering is projected to grow 15% from 2012 to 2022, above the average across all occupations. Growing demand for environmental engineers is likely to continue, driven by growing concerns about environmental conditions and climate change. There’s also a good scope to earn a high salary, with environmental engineers earning an average of $84,560 per year in the US in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some graduates may like to complete further study with a master’s degree, but for many roles this is not essential.

Environmental engineer

As an environmental engineer, you’ll use your knowledge of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to find solutions to environmental problems and prevent future issues. This could include designing systems and processes that help to protect the environment, such as water reclamation facilities or air pollution control systems. Other responsibilities of environmental engineers include carrying out site assessments, analyzing and assessing the impact of human activity on the environment (including how well companies comply with environmental regulations), reporting and reviewing findings, and advising clients on essential clean-up improvements and how they can prevent the same issues in future. If you work for a multinational company, you may be able to travel as part of this role.

Air quality specialist

Air quality specialists/consultants combine technical knowledge with business skills to ensure that emissions and other airborne pollutants do not violate air pollution laws. They also aim to make sure that pollutants, such as those created through chemical reactions and combustion, are not released into the air at harmful levels without first being treated with the appropriate contaminant-removal technologies. You’ll may also be involved in reviewing environmental assessments for projected factories and manufacturing plants, and recommending air pollution control tools.

Environmental manager

Environmental managers (also known as sustainability managers) are responsible for managing the environmental performance of organizations. As an environmental manager, you’ll inspect corporate activities to ascertain and advise on where improvements can be made and ensure that the organization complies with environmental legislations. You’ll also develop policies and programs to promote sustainable development and lead in their implementation, as well as carrying out impact assessments to assess and reduce the environmental and financial costs of an organization.

Water engineer

Water engineers supply, control and preserve clean water and sewerage/waste water services and avoid flood damage. This is a broad role which involves a number of technical and non-technical tasks, including designing sewer improvement schemes or flood defense programs and related structures such as pumping stations. You’ll also write reports, keep up with environmental matters, liaise with external organizations such as local authorities, present project details and technical information to clients and colleagues, monitor flood levels, manage project budgets and supervise staff.

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